... Victorious Easter Hope ...

 

 "Our gifts are not from God to us, but from God through us to the world."
by Janice Elsheimer (The Creative Call)

I am hungry for days filled with kingdom purpose.  When I don't second guess God at every turn and when I trust Him wholeheartedly.  When my spirit eyes are more awake than my earthly eyes ... and when my focus is more on God than my problems.  When I see the miracles in the every day.  And when I use my gifts to for God's glory and not my fame.

Thank goodness I have Jesus to pick up the pieces.

I seem to have grown such a 'when' list.  The beauty of Easter is the reminder of what Jesus accomplished on the cross ... His Grace brings Life, Hope, Peace, Salvation and that's just the beginning. 

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!”
John 20 : 16-18

Oh how valued and significant we all are.  Imagine if everyone stepped out into their gifts and shared them with the world.  What a different world it would be.

Happy Easter

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

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Fantangle Designs ...

So proud of my Blogging Buddie ... 

Feel very blessed to have met Jen.  She is an inspiration to me.  The way she embraces her God given gifts and explores possibility.  Her courage and creativity is amazing.  She has just jumped into the world of markets ... selling her beautiful Artwork.

Check out her wares at Fantangle Designs ... and her Shop.

Visit her at the Sydney Boutique Markets.

'In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.'
Romans 12:6

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

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Be defined by Love ...

This week my pondering has been about 'letting God define me' ... and if this is my aim, what does it mean for me?

I keep coming back to Love.

May you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Ephesians 3:18-19

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Let this amazing Love surround me and tell me who I am.

Let the fullness of Christ, fill me.

Be defined by Christ, not the world.

Be defined by Love ...

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

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Reflecting and letting go ...

 Reflecting once again on all the striving I do ... I spend a lot of time striving to be better ... Wishing I had more talent ... Dreaming about how I want life to be rather than living the life I have and accepting the person I am ... 

A great read is 'A million little ways' by Emily Freeman, it helped remind me ... I am God created and for a reason.  Accepting who I am and trusting God .   

My words for this year ... Letting go ... Sunset ... Seem to have different meaning for me now ... Another meaning could be letting go of old beliefs about myself and walking into new beliefs ... Embracing and accepting myself more fully ... Letting God define me.

 

"You were made in the secret place, woven together on purpose with threads made from sacred longings that come not only from you but from the heart of God - he wove you together with a personality and you bring your own you-ness to the table.  

I will admit it might take our whole lives to see the complete picture of what we can now see only in part.  But don't believe for a minute that a person who bears the image of God has nothing to offer."

from A million little ways
by Emily Freeman

These words were such an encouragement to me.
Keep reading ... Keep Listening ... Keep Sharing God's Love ... you just never know who it may encourage.

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

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2015 ... Don't Hold Back

On a recent road trip I listened to Max Lacardo's audio book about 'Facing your Giants' .  I has been a timely reminder to make God my focus . So my task this year is to keep God my focus.  With all the busy busy of work and friends and family ... Keep Jesus Christ at the center.  No matter how many years pass, as my relationship will Jesus continues I never cease to learn and grow... Old words I hear anew and different ... New understanding ... New perspective ... Fresh reminders.

2015 needs to be a year where Christ is First, Last and Central . 

Don't Hold Back

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Markets are coming ...

... a few new delights available at the Moonlight Markets ... crane magnets ... origami stars ... Christmas Cards that glitter ... Origami Heart Bookmarks.

Looking forward to it.

Be Blessed and be a Blessing

Teena

...

God keeps His Promises ...

God keeps His promises ...

I have just finished Holidays ... holidays I spent at home ... relaxing sleeping crafting and renewing ... sometimes the days seem a bit monotonous and I so easily get lost in the business of life ... BUT I know who directs my steps ... I know who holds me fast ... God's word is true ... He holds His ground ... He never wavers.  GodTags was a God whisper that began many years ago and I feel the stirring as though something is about to change ... no sure what yet but cant wait to see the journey continue.

Getting ready for the Moonlight Markets has been productive these holidays.  I have a few new delights.  Struggling with my new Christmas cards but hopefully soon will have a glimpse to show you. 

I hope and pray that God is working through you and that you have have him clearly in your sights, as you walk through your days.  And that you know ... He will never let you go!

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

'... I knew you ... I set you apart'

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
    before you were born I set you apart"

Jeremiah 1:5

 A promise made by God to an old testament Prophet.  

It is as real today as it was then.  

To everyone who calls Christ their own, this is a promise we live by.  

The security of knowing I am valued and significant.

 Knowing I was blessed even before I was born ... This is who I am ... This is who I was created to be ... A Child of God ... One, He calls His own.

This is a promise worth Living out every day!

Be blessed and be a blessing ... for you truly are blessed!

Teena

...

She gave her all ...

Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.”

Mark 12 : 41-44

 She gave her all ...

Altruism ...

Altruism ...

Came across this word the other day and just can't seem to shake it from my mind.

It's a word that seems true of Mother Theresa. 

Something about this word seems to resound within me.

I know I aspire to live a life with these qualities ... One day at a time.

How different would this world be if we all tried to be more selfless?

                              altruism

1.the principle or practice of unselfish concern    for or devotion to the welfare of others.

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Market inspiration ...

Another year of twilight market season is over ... and as the sun streams into my last market tent, I take a few memory snaps with my camera. 

I always need a deadline to work to ... markets are very useful deadlines.  So with my list of ideas I will start preparing for the markets to begin again at the end of the year. 

Feeling very blessed to have support and encouragement around me! 


Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

...Market Mania ...

What an awesome market Friday Night was ... Moonlight Markets at Thorndon Park Rock.

Next Market is Friday 6th December ... planning to do more Christmas stuff ... 

I feel so much braver now I have done my first market for this summer ... I just have to keep standing for what I believe in ... for what I believe God has called me to do.

Don't be moved by the world ... Be moved by MY GOD.

I found these words on the internet so I don't know who to give credit to (if anyone knows please let me know) ... the words are true ...

I AM

THE DAUGHTER

OF A KING WHO

IS NOT MOVED 

BY THE WORLD

FOR MY GOD

IS WITH ME AND

GOES BEFORE ME

I DO NOT FEAR

BECAUSE I AM

HIS

I would encourage everyone to have the courage to stand strong ... step up into what God is whispering into your heart ... the faith to believe anything is possible. 

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Preparations ...

 This is the beginnings of my new task ... Giant Paper Flowers will be blooming on my next market stall ... I am hoping they will bring some color and cheer to my stand.

BUT OH THE RESISTANCE ...

My feet have been stuck in the mud ... For the last 4 weeks my kitchen table has looked like this ... I really do need to get a move on FAST ... be more productive.

Every time my brain goes into action my feet drag behind ...

But only 4 weeks to Market Day!

I hope my flowers will be a blessing to many and pass on some Love.


May everyone that feels resistance to Fabulous Ideas keep pushing through and succeed.


Be Blessed and be a Blessing

Teena

 ...

... My Gift

At times when I feel a bit stale, all it takes is something new and fresh to give me a boost.

This year at Colour Conference in Sydney I received a beautiful gift ... 

A New Testament Message Bible.

After conference it sat on my shelf for months until a few weeks ago when I began reading it.  I have decided to read it cover to cover.  I love the everyday language of the message ... it makes me smile and brings the pages alive.  Thanks God!  I still cant quite let go of my NIV Study Bible yet but the breath of fresh air that the Message Bible has bought to God's Word for me, is very exciting.

I certainly do hope that God's Word is alive and active in your life too. 
Check out the Message Bible ... you might get a nice surprise ... and many smiles.

Be Blessed in all you do and read

Teena

...

God Surprises ...

 Today I went out my front gate and saw a tiny God Surprise ... In amongst the sower-sobs (weeds) ... a purple Violet flower greeted me to say good morning ... What a nice surprise.

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

What I have learnt in June ...

God has been talking to me hard and fast in June ... So here are a few things I have learned.

• Life moves very fast !
• I keep promising God to spend more time in His courts but never quite get there ... To do this I need to turn off the TV.
• God keeps His promises.
• Learning something new can be uncomfortable ... God is growing and stretching me in my new job ... Stepping me up ... Some days I feel my age and some days I feel like a panicked teenager lost for words.  The day will come when I will feel more comfortable in these new shoes.
• I need to express my creativity more ... Do more Collage Art.
• Gratitude for finding a creative Christian community that are supportive and encouraging.
• A real sense of peace since I have moved back to Adelaide ... Whole heartedness ... Well being ... A renewed sense of purpose ... I am home.

Sharing God's Love is part of who I am. 

Doing that through my Postcards and Art is what He has called me to do.

God is Amazing!

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing.

Teena

I have linked back this blog post to Chatting at the Sky ... That's where the idea came from to post what I have learned in June ... Thanks for being so inspiring.

...

June Blessings ...

Hello Everyone ...

I may have been missing from my blog the past few months ... but all for good reasons ... since moving back to Adelaide, I have under estimated the busy busy that comes of being back with family and old friends.

I feel so blessed by the Love of familiar faces and blossoming work opportunities.

Oh ... How God is working in my Life!

My life has just exploded in goodness and newness and learning.

So many things on my To Do List ... to name just a few ... I have started selling children name cards and need to add them to my Etsy site ... so hopefully in the next few weeks I will add them.
Next weekend I am participating in Eaglemount's LIFEWORX ARTFEST ... showing postcards and collages.

But through all of this one verse resounds in my mind ...

“Be still, and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

My God knows the plans he has for me ... and I am living in those days.

Thanks God!

May you all seek and find God working in your life everyday.

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

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Abundance and Overflow ...

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

Jude 1:2

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else

1 Thessalonians 3:12

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

You are Loved ...

Serving others ...

Lobethal Markets were great fun ... firstly because I had a friend to keep me company ... secondly because I had my eyes opened ... I saw a community working together ... and was reminded again about being of service ... being friendly and helpful ... so my mind is buzzing with ideas ... How can I serve and help every market community I visit?

Let's see how God wants me to move with this idea ... I know it is a God Idea and just need to wait ... He always comes up with ideas beyond what I can imagine.

Thanks God!

Can you think of someone who needs your love and encouragement ... maybe just stop and say a quick prayer and see what God will do ...  you have just passed on God's Love ... it's as easy as that!

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

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